Welcome back to Reading the Research, where I trawl the Internet to find noteworthy research on autism and related subjects, then discuss it in brief with bits from my own life, research, and observations.
Today's article addresses an up-and-coming issue in academia, special needs, and other circles: brain stimulation. John Elder Robison wrote about experiencing a particular type of brain stimulation, called transcranial magnetic stimulation, in his book Switched On, which I reviewed at one point. He noted improvement in what some people term "autism symptoms" after undergoing the treatment.
Various types of brain stimulation have also been used to treat Parkinsons, depression, and anxiety. And naturally, if it can be used for a medical purpose, somebody's going to try it on healthy people and tout the results for improved academic and professional performance.
I, personally, am treated with a particular type of brain stimulation called LENS. It's non-invasive, like most types of brain stimulation, and has no chemicals to pump into your bloodstream and potentially mess things up in your biology. I receive it once every two weeks. It's helped with my anxiety and depression, and possibly with organizational and self-management skills as well. I was paying less attention to those at the time I started the therapy, so it's hard to say for sure that it's helped. But a less anxious, depressed brain also probably performs better overall.
It's a little alarming to me that people would A) decide brain stimulation should be administered to everyone, and B) that they're more likely to demand other people get "fixed" rather than fixing themselves. Though admittedly, if I was sure the treatment wouldn't damage our politicians, and was also sure it would increase their empathy and decision-making skills, I'd probably opt to have them "fixed" also.
Either way, it's a major question, and seems like one that's going to be relevant in the next decade or so. Some academic fields and areas are very competitive, and people with the means to do so may use brain stimulation in hopes of getting an edge on their competitors. I worry that these unregulated usages will lead to brain damage on a very major scale.
They may also pave the way for brain stimulation to be used in an insurance-covered medical setting, which would be good for autistic people and other sufferers of depression, anxiety, and related things.
Time will tell.
Various types of brain stimulation have also been used to treat Parkinsons, depression, and anxiety. And naturally, if it can be used for a medical purpose, somebody's going to try it on healthy people and tout the results for improved academic and professional performance.
I, personally, am treated with a particular type of brain stimulation called LENS. It's non-invasive, like most types of brain stimulation, and has no chemicals to pump into your bloodstream and potentially mess things up in your biology. I receive it once every two weeks. It's helped with my anxiety and depression, and possibly with organizational and self-management skills as well. I was paying less attention to those at the time I started the therapy, so it's hard to say for sure that it's helped. But a less anxious, depressed brain also probably performs better overall.
It's a little alarming to me that people would A) decide brain stimulation should be administered to everyone, and B) that they're more likely to demand other people get "fixed" rather than fixing themselves. Though admittedly, if I was sure the treatment wouldn't damage our politicians, and was also sure it would increase their empathy and decision-making skills, I'd probably opt to have them "fixed" also.
Either way, it's a major question, and seems like one that's going to be relevant in the next decade or so. Some academic fields and areas are very competitive, and people with the means to do so may use brain stimulation in hopes of getting an edge on their competitors. I worry that these unregulated usages will lead to brain damage on a very major scale.
They may also pave the way for brain stimulation to be used in an insurance-covered medical setting, which would be good for autistic people and other sufferers of depression, anxiety, and related things.
Time will tell.
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